Its Official ! Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul suspended with immediate effect after Koffee with Karan controversy

New Delhi: India on Friday confirmed suspension of cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul and ordered them to leave the tour of Australia amid an investigation into comments made about women on television chat show Koffee with Karan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India said the pair would be stopped “from playing any form of cricket after their comments on a TV show.

“The duo will now return to India and an enquiry and proceedings will be made against them for misconduct and indiscipline,” a BCCI press release late on Friday night stated.

The announcement came hours before the start of the first one-day international of a three-match series against Australia in Sydney.

Pandya’s comments about his relationships with women and other remarks perceived as sexist during an Indian celebrity chat show broadcast last Sunday just as India was celebrating its historic first Test series win in Australia.

Rahul was on the show at the same time and watched his teammate’s bragging that sparked outrage on social media.

The 25-year-old Pandya and Rahul apologised for their conduct after the BCCI demanded an explanation but officials unanimously decided to go ahead with an inquiry.